Paeonia plant name ‘RTPIV791-09’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Paeonia  cultivar named ‘RTPIV791-09’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive apricot/peach colored, fully double, mildly fragrant flowers. Plants are vigorous, symmetrical with strong stems holding flowers above foliage, and with attractive foliage through the Fall. The new cultivar is a  Paeonia  hybrid suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Paeonia lactiflora×P. lutea.

Variety denomination: ‘RTPIV791-09’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a breeder program conducted by the inventor, Thierry Rat. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘RTPIV791-09’, was discovered as part of a planned breeding program. The inventor, Thierry Rat, crossed the seed parent Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’, unpatented, with the pollen parent, Paeonia lutea ‘C36’, unpatented, during May of 2006. The resulting new variety was selected in a research nursery in Castel Sarrasin France during May of 2011.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘RTPIV791-09’ by shoot tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in L'Assomption, Quebec, during September of 2011. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Several generations have been reproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘RTPIV791-09’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘RTPIV791-09’ as a new and distinct Paeonia cultivar:

-   -   1. Strong stems which hold the flowers uniquely erect and above         the foliage.     -   2. Unique apricot/peach colored, fully double flower.     -   3. Symmetrical, bushy plant shape.     -   4. Attractive foliage through Fall.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘RTPIV791-09’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the seed parent variety Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

-   1. ‘Miss America’ has white, semi-double flowers, the new variety     has apricot/peach colored, fully double flowers. -   2. The new variety has stronger stems. -   3. Foliage of the new variety is more finely cut.

‘RTPIV791-09’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the pollen parent variety Paeonia lutea ‘C36’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

-   1. ‘C36’ has yellow single to semi-double flowers, the new variety     has apricot/peach colored, fully double flowers. -   2. The new variety is a more herbaceous plant. -   3. The new variety is more Winter hardy.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘RTPIV791-09’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Bartzella’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ are similar to plants of ‘Bartzella’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Peonies. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ however, produce apricot/peach colored flowers, whereas flowers of ‘Bartzella’ are yellow with red centers. Additionally, flowers of the new variety have more petals than flowers of ‘Bartzella’. Plants of the new variety produce more secondary flower buds than plants of ‘Batrzella’.

‘RTPIV791-09’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Morning Lilac’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ are similar to plants of ‘Morning Lilac’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Paeonias. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-09’ however, produce fully double, apricot/peach colored flowers, whereas flowers of ‘Morning Lilac’ are dark purple in color, with significantly less petals. Additionally, plants of the new variety have more secondary flower buds then ‘Morning Lilac’ plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘RTPIV7791-09’ grown outdoors in Moissac, France. The plant is approximately 5 years old.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘RTPIV791-09’ plants grown outdoors in Moissac, France. Plants are approximately 5 year old. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Paeonia lactiflora×P. lutea hybrid     ‘RTPIV791-09’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typically by shoot tissue culture. -   Root description: Freely branching storage root with numerous feeder     roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact and vigorous perennial herbaceous shrub.     Symmetrical and rounded growth habit. -   Height: Approximately 70 to 80 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 110 cm. -   Stems: -   Length: Approximately 70 to 80 cm. -   Diameter: Average 1 cm measured between first and second leaf. -   Strength: Strong. -   Internode length: Average range 6 to 9 cm, highly variable. -   Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. -   Texture: Glabrous. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 5 years.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf: Alternate, bipinnately compound, with an overall ovate shape,     which is wider than long. Average leaf 24 cm long and 30 cm wide.     Erect attitude. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic.         -   Quantity and arrangement.—3 primary leaflet further divided             into secondary leaflets of variable number and form. All             leaflets sessile.         -   Average length.—Central leaflet average 15 cm.         -   Average width.—Central leaflet average 15 cm. -   Individual leaflet blades:     -   -   Shape of blade.—Broad elliptic, variably incised.         -   Apex.—Broadly acuminate, often with emargination.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Deeply incised.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.         -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Flat to very minutely reflexed downward.         -   Color.—Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A. Under side:             Near RHS Greyed-Green 191B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 145C. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 145C.         -   Petiole.—Length: Average 7.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowers open approximately 60 days after     bud break in early Spring. Flowering extends over a period of 4 to 6     weeks. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Single, terminal or axillary flowers,     fully double, irregularly rounded with tight petal whorl. Erect     flower attitude. -   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 8 to 12 days on the plant. -   Quantity of flowers: 3 to 5 per stem. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 15 to 16 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 8 to 9 cm. (Flower height). -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 18 to 20 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Tight, irregular whorl of 80 to 90 petals             and petaloids.         -   Size.—Length: Approximately 7 cm. Width: Approximately 6 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Margin.—Entire to sinuate.         -   Apex.—Typically emarginate.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous all surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Slightly ruffled, undulate. -   Color: Petals: Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-Orange     20B, base Red 45A. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 20B, base     Red 45A. -   Petaloids:     -   -   Type.—Stamenoidal.         -   Quantity.—Average 10 to 30, variable.         -   Size.—Length: Approximately 4.0 to 7.0 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.5 to 1.0 cm.         -   Color.—Same as petals, near RHS Yellow-Orange 20B, base Red             45A. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Globose.         -   Length.—Approximately 4 to 5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—5; 2 smaller and 3 larger.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Obcordate to obovate.         -   Aspect.—Cupped.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Interior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 144B.             Exterior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 144B.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Fragrance: Mild.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 30 poorly developed.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 2.0 cm.         -   Filament color.—RHS Orange-Red 31B. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Shape.—Elongated ovoid and some twisted coiled.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 7B.         -   Pollen.—Not observed to produce pollen. -   Pistil:     -   -   Type.—Compound.         -   Number.—Average 6 to 8 carpels, variable.         -   Carpel length.—Approximately 2 cm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Claw shaped, acutely convex. Color: Near RHS             Yellow 8C.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Green 142D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor     resistant to normal diseases and pests of Paeonia. -   Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA Zones 3 to 9. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paeonia plant named ‘RTPIV791-09’ as herein illustrated and described. 